Jay Sinnard, manager of the Student Technology Resources Center (STRC), is traveling with a UC class to provide media support as they record testimonials as part of their class project. This is a return trip for Jay as he traveled with this same class in spring 2014. He is applying lessons learned from that trip to make the student’s experience an even better one.

Over the course of their trip, Jay will share on this blog some of his observations, images and video from their travels. Check back often…

From Natalie Bullock, a student on the trip: Today the UC Service Learning India Team visited Odanadi Seya Samsthe, an organization that exists to aid women and girls who have been rescued from exploitative circumstances. Located in Mysore, India, Odandi was founded 26 years ago by husband and wife team Stanly and Parashu Kumudini. It has since grown to include Odanadi homes in Britain, The Netherlands, America and Sweden.

These homes provide survivors a place to rehabilitate while they learn new skills such as small business management, massage therapy, and baking. Thankfully, the UC team arrived just in time to sample some baked goods! They were also treated to a traditional Indian meal prepared by the girls and then were given the change to have a question and answer session with the Odanadi founders before enjoying a dance routine performed by four of the girls. During a tour of the facility, UC students interacted with the girls and learned more about human trafficking in India and that way that all of us must work together if we are to defeat this heinous crime.

Visit to a temple at the top of a mountain in Mysore.

Wake up call from monkey. Looking into one of our rooms in the morning.

The women on steps and dancers are all young women who have been rescued.